Dodgers News: Mookie Betts illness, Roki Sasaki prediction, White House visit

Mookie Betts returned to the Dodgers lineup on Tuesday in their last game of the annual Freeway Series exhibition to close out spring training. Betts went 0-3 at the plate, but it was really just a relief to see him on the field again.

He'd been dealing with a stomach virus since two days before the Tokyo Series, which left him unable to keep food down for about a week and a half. He told reporters that he lost around 20 pounds during that time, and was frustrated because he hadn't been diagnosed with anything. He was stuck in a hell-ish "wait and see" situation.

However, he was able to keep food down on Tuesday morning, and he told reporters ahead of the Freeway Series finale that was doing much better. Afterwards, he confirmed that he'd be ready by the Home Opener on Thursday against the Tigers, saying that getting through the game against the Angels was the confirmation he needed.

Dodgers News: Mookie Betts should be ready by Opening Day, downer Roki Sasaki prediction, LA to visit White House

One of the confirmed starters for the Home Opener will be Roki Sasaki, who will pitch in the finale following Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Sasaki's debut against the Cubs was mostly painless but still rocky; he gave up a run on a single and then four consecutive walks in the third inning before the Dodgers pulled him.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic, a known Dodgers detractor, had a specific but pessimistic prediction for Sasaki's debut season. While Sasaki has been named as an early contender for the NL Cy Young or Rookie of the Year, Bowden took the opposite approach, predicting that Sasaki wouldn't throw enough innings this year to qualify for the RoY, which would instead go to the Nationals' Dylan Crews.

On the topic of the Nationals, the Dodgers have accepted an invitation to celebrate their World Series win last season at the White House when they visit the Nats in early April. Dave Roberts has already said he would attend after hesitating on a potential visit in 2019, but Betts, who declined the offer after the Red Sox's 2019 win, is undecided about his participation this year.

The Dodgers released the following statement on Tuesday: "In keeping with long-standing baseball tradition, President Trump has invited the 2024 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers to the White House when they play in Washington D.C. on April 7. The Dodgers look forward to visiting the White House and celebrating our title."